Autism Early Identification and Intervention

Dr. Ralph Sperry and Dr. Bob Putnam from the May Institute visited Oman to build capacity on early autism identification and awareness.

Collaborating to Help Children with Autism

From October 7 – 13, Dr. Ralph Sperry and Dr. Robert Putnam, from Boston’s May Institute, visited the Sultanate of Oman. In coordination with Oman’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, and Ministry of Education, the U.S. Embassy organized a four-day workshop on early autism identification and intervention. Over 150 physicians, educators, policy-makers, and parents attended the workshop, learning valuable skills and tools to identify autism in children earlier, and intervene to give them the support they need.

Dr. Sperry and Dr. Putnam visit the Rehabilitation Center in Muscat.
Dr. Sperry and Dr. Putnam visit the Rehabilitation Center in Muscat.

It Takes a Village

Dr. Sperry and Dr. Putnam emphasized over and over again that “it takes a village” to confront the challenge of autism. Parents, physicians, educators, policy-makers, clinicians, teachers, and more must work together in order to ensure that children who suffer from autism have the support that will help them become productive members of society. In addition to the workshop, the Doctors met separately with officials from the Ministry of Education, Health, and Social Development. They discussed the specific ways each Ministry can contribute to supporting their autistic population.

Dr. Bob Putnam meets with Ministry of Education representatives to discuss how to support children with autism in Oman's schools.
Dr. Bob Putnam meets with Ministry of Education representatives to discuss how to support children with autism in Oman’s schools.

Just the Start

One of the most promising outcomes of Dr. Sperry and Dr. Putnam’s visit was that it was just the beginning. They have worked closely with their newfound contacts at the Ministry of Health to plan a follow up visit in 2017. The Doctors will draw on their resources and expertise at the May Institute to provide training in gold-standard methods and tools for the early identification of autism in children. They will empower Oman’s physicians and clinicians to identify autism in children when it’s early enough to provide the most effective support. We look forward to their next visit.

Dr. Sperry delivers remarks to a gathering of 150 educators, physicians, parents, and more.
Dr. Sperry delivers remarks to a gathering of 150 educators, physicians, parents, and more.